July 24 - Name Tags Coming to Havurah, Children's Book Collection
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Community Minyan (2) Name Tags Coming to Havurah (3) Children's Book Collection for Tikkun Olam Adelante (4) Hebrew Teacher For Youth Needed (5) Amateur or Pro Filmmaker Needed (6) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (7) Amazing Jewish Conference in Portland (8) Shabbat in the Pool (9) Play Reading of "God of Vengeance" in Preparation for "Indecent" Shabbaton (10) Training with Catholic Charities to Support Refugees (11) Special Kiddush Lunch on Aug. 24 (12) Reconstructing Judaism Today
The above painting of Zelophehad's daughters is by Iris Wexler Tamir.
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Community Minyan, Saturday, July 27, 10:00 am – This Saturday Havurah member Leo Foleen will be called to the Torah for the first time. Please join us in celebrating with Leo and her family! Rabbi Benjamin, Susan Brenner, Barbara Slader, Sam Sirkin, Marty Brown, Shelley Sobel, and Barbara Sevde will lead, leyn, and give the drash as we read and discuss Parsha Pinchas, in which the daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses and are allowed to inherit their family's land, because their father died and had no sons.
(2) Name Tags Coming to Havurah – Soon we will all know each other by name with wooden name tags coming to members over the age of 13. Names will be used from Havurah's membership directory. Since Havurah young adults over 18 may not live at home or attend Havurah, we are planning to just print name tags for those who are at Havurah frequently or even occasionally. Note that we will NOT use the name tags outside the building, for High Holidays at the Tiffany Center, for example. Please complete this form by Thursday, Aug. 1, if you WOULD LIKE your young adult child (18+) to have a name tag.
(3) Children's Book Collection – Tikkun Olam Adelante is collecting English language children’s books to give to immigrant children at an upcoming community event in the Ortiz Center neighborhood. If you have any books you would like to pass along or care to purchase, please put them in the collection box on the counter in the Havurah coat room. All donations must be in the box by August 5. Thank you!
(4) Hebrew Teacher for Youth Needed – Havurah Shalom seeks a part-time teacher for youth ages 8-10, who can teach beginning Hebrew reading with a very clear Tora Aura curriculum. Hours of instruction are 16 Saturdays (already scheduled) between Sept. 21 and May 9, 1:30-2:40 pm, at Havurah. 7-14 children per class. Competitive compensation. Please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director, deborah@havurahshalom.org; describe your experience and expertise.
(5) Amateur (or Pro) Filmmaker Needed – Would you like to collaborate with Deborah Eisenbach-Budner on a short and casual movie (5-8 minutes) that we could use to help celebrate Shabbat School's 40th Birthday on November 23 (and put on our website after that). The vision is 2-3 minutes of interviews interspersed with photos from the last 40 years and some fun music from our own musicians. Youth (high school, college age) filmmaker or adult is great! Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner (deborah@havurahshalom.org).
(6) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty – Havurah is still a fairly new partner of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. Here are some “hands on” opportunities for us: 1) Renovation of the Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park. The residents will be moving back gradually over the coming weeks, and they can use help unpacking, sorting through stored items, etc. If able to assist, please contact Nicole Jones, Resident Services, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, nicole.jones@svdp.us, 541-214-0546. 2) The Walnut Park Shelter (at MLK and Killingsworth) continues to be open. Some congregations helped a lot with preparing dinner during the colder months; this has dropped off and there is need now for groups to help. Please contact Emily Coleman, Volunteer Coordinator with Transition Projects, 503-488-7745, emily.coleman@tprojects.org. 3) Help continues to be needed this summer with Agape Village and the building of tiny houses. Please contact Ron Clark for specific times at rclark@agapecoc.com or by phone at 503-313-5329. Interfaith Alliance on Poverty contacts are Co-Chairs Carol Turner and David Groff, carol@carolfturner.com or dgroff45@yahoo.com Havurah contacts are Gloria Halper and Steve Rudman. Gloria and Steve's email addresses can be found in our online membership directory. Click here to learn how to access the online directory.
(7) Amazing Jewish Conference in Portland, Sunday-Wednesday, July 28-31, Reed College – NewCAJE’s mission is to connect, inspire and affirm all Jewish educators to build a stronger Jewish community, but many of the workshops and performances at the Portland conference this month will be great for anybody who is interested in Jewish life. See the schedule of over 200 workshops here or attend the pre-conference Shabbat and other learning, prayer, and entertainment gatherings. Special opportunities for Portland folks are the Intensives, which are a chance to study one subject for five hours (Sunday, July 28, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm) with a great teacher/expert or team (only $75.00):
Bringing Jewish History to Life Through Documents
Exploring the Outdoor Classroom through the Jewish Lens
Are We Educating All of Our Children? What You Need to Know About Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
Houseless in Portlandia: Texts, Tours, and Tachlis
Walk Softly and Carry a Jewish Schtick: Jewish Nature Awareness in Action (A Nature Hike)
You can find complete information at //www.newcaje.org/home/newcaje10/intensive-seminars/.
(8) Shabbat in the Pool, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:15-7:30 pm, Sellwood Pool – We've got Sellwood Pool to ourselves, for Shabbat games, followed by a potluck picnic and Havdalah. Music? Yes! Fun for everyone? You bet! RSVP here to save your spot and help us know how many lifeguards to request.
(9) Play Reading of "God of Vengeance" In Preparation for "Indecent" Shabbaton, Wednesdays, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, 7:00 pm, Havurah Shalom – To support the joint Shabbaton over Labor Day weekend with Temple Emek Shalom, Emily Simon will lead an informal, participatory play reading of "God of Vengeance," the play on which "Indecent" is based. Act I will be read on Aug. 7, and Act II will be read on Aug. 14. The evenings will begin with a short show introduction by Emily, who will then assign the parts based upon who shows up and what part they want to read. Hopefully there will be enough time after the reading to then discuss the play. Everyone is welcome to participate in either evening event (no need to attend both), whether they are attending the Shabbaton, seeing "Indecent" at another time, have already seen it, or are not seeing it at all. Please RSVP here for Aug. 7 and RSVP here for Aug. 14.You can read a pdf file of the play here. PLEASE NOTE: You will need to download, print, and bring your own copy of the play to the readings. Havurah will not be able to provide printed copies for attendees.
(10) Training with Catholic Charities to Support Refugees, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, 2740 SE Powell Blvd, Portland – As part of Havurah's Tikkun Olam work to support refugees arriving in Portland, we partner with Catholic Charities. A number of Havurah members have been trained over the last several years to volunteer to support refugee families. Catholic Charities is hosting another refugee volunteer training on Aug. 13, and we hope some Havurah members will be trained. For more information and how to register, click here.
(11) Special Kiddush Lunch, Saturday, Aug 24, 12:15 pm – Dick Mastbrook is hosting a special kiddush lunch to celebrate his 90th birthday! Please come celebrate with us after services. RSVP to Arleen Slive, whose email address is in our online membership directory.Click here to learn how to access our online directory.
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Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in Jewish values promoting spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, May 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Shabbat School Shabbat, May 3rd 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(ZM) Progressive Israel Network Sessions Sunday, May 4th 11:00a to 12:00p Havurah Shalom is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network. Come learn in collaboration with representatives from five to six of the participating Progressive Israel Network organizations, including T’ruah, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, New Israel Fund, J Street, and Reconstructing Judaism.
All perspectives on Israel-Palestine, as well as all curious people, are welcomed and encouraged. Our guests will give presentations and take questions. You can register for all sessions, below, but it's okay if you can't attend all three sessions.
(Reconstructing Judaism, the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, of which Havurah Shalom is a part, is a member of the Progressive Israel Network.)
(IP) Writing for Peace and Reconciliation, Within and Between Us Sunday, May 4th 6:30p to 8:30p Commemorate the last day of Pesach and Yitzkor in community Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? April 20th & May 4th, 6:30 PM at Havurah, join Harriet Cooke for a writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. (It is recommended to attend either just the first session or both sessions.)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 5th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(CANCELED) Collage Art with Jewish Symbols Wednesday, May 7th 6:30p to 7:45p This class has been canceled by the instructor. If you are interested in doing art at Havurah, please reach out to Adela Basayne (info@havurahshalom.org). Bring your crafts and creativity out for making collage art with Jewish symbols. We will create hamzas, stars of David, trees of life, and images for blessing the home. All ages are invited! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 7th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
